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Relatives of a senior marking his 78th birthday in hospital Monday fear brutal home invaders targeted him and his wife for Christmas cash intended for their grandchildren.

The Jeanne Dr. couple was sleeping early Saturday when two men burst into their home of almost 39 years northwest of Hwy. 7 and Pine Valley Dr. around 4:30 a.m., daughter-in-law Nadia Iantorno told The Toronto Sun.

Despite co-operating and surrendering money intended for their seven grandchildren, the seniors - whose names she did not want published - were tied up and assaulted.

"What baffled me is why hit them?" Iantorno said.

Although York Regional Police said Christmas presents were stolen by the home invaders, she believes most of the loss was in currency.

"Italians use a lot of cash at Christmas," Iantorno said.

Investigators said the thugs, who were armed with a blunt metal weapon, demanded cash and jewelry.

After handing over their money, the seniors were forced to lie on a floor and were "tied up with clothing" while the robbers ransacked their home, Const. Andy Pattenden said in a statement.

Once free, the victims phoned 911 from a neighbour's home.

Iantorno said her 78-year-old father-in-law remains in hospital with facial injuries.

His 75-year-old wife, now staying with their daughter, was released after a checkup and treatment for anxiety.

"We're trying to get all the family and the grandchildren together because we don't want him left alone on his birthday," Iantorno said, adding her in-laws had enjoyed a pre-Christmas visit with friends who left before they were "traumatized."

After visiting the senior in hospital earlier in the day, Det.-Const. Steve Blenkhorn said "he's doing all right," remaining "mostly for observation."

Despite being armed, whoever struck him appears to have used fists, Blenkhorn said. "He took a few lumps."

Police have no firm leads, other than the thugs being described as black, with thin builds, between 5-foot-10 and 6-foot-2. They wore dark clothing.

Why that home was hit remains a mystery, but Blenkhorn said "it's possible that they were being watched" and followed home after shopping, then attacked when the house was in darkness.

Since seniors tend to be more trusting and are easier prey, he urged "elderly people at this time of year to be careful at bank machines and watch who is around them."

Next door, a man who lives with his 83-year-old mother and who helped build the victim's home in 1974, said the close-knit community watches out for their seniors.

"We're like pisans," he said, using a traditional Italian term for a close friend while referring to the victims.

"I've known them for 35 years," he said, describing the 78-year-old as an engineer and inventor "who can make you anything."

"I am scared, so is my mother," said the neighbour, who didn't want his name used. "I asked my mother if she wanted to go to the bank today and she said no - she doesn't want to leave the house.

"Have I slept in three days, no!" he said. "It's a beautiful neighbourhood, everyone is devastated."

The home invasion robbery occurred about 25 hours after four people were assaulted by three men who burst into a Raymond Rd. home near Martin Grove Rd. and Woodbridge Ave. around 1 a.m. Friday.

One had a shotgun, another wielded an extendable baton and the third carried a baseball bat. They fled fled with cash and electronics.

Two of those victims where treated for minor injuries by paramedics.

Blenkhorn said investigators are convinced "there is no relation" between the two home invasions.

The bandit trio were described as black, two in their early 20s, including one 5-foot-10 with a red bandana plus a black hooded sweatshirt, trousers and rubber gloves, the other about 5-foot-6, wearing a blue bandanna, hooded sweatshirt and gloves. The third man was described as wearing a dark navy blue hooded sweatshirt.